CYCLE FATALITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23221, 15 December 1938, Page 21

CYCLE FATALITY

COLLISION WITH CAR SEVERITY OF IMPACT COMMENT BY CORONER USE OF CRASH HELMETS URGED The fact that deceased was not looking where he was riding and did pot see the liiotor-car in time before he crashed into it was emphasised by jlr. F.. K. Hunt, coroner, in giving a verdict of accidental death at an inquest on a motor-cyclist yesterday. The victim was Patrick Hilton Thurston Hill. baker, , single, aged 21, of 3 Risk Road, Remuera, who died of injuries in the Auckland Hospital on October 28, eight minutes after colliding with a car opposite the Domain Gates in Park Road.. "A prudent motor-cyclist could have avoided the accident," said James Edward Jones, warehouseman, who was riding a bicycle and saw the collision. He said deceased was riding unreasonably fast, and cornered dangerously passing the hospital entrance while riding toward the Domain. Deceased turned to look over his right ghoulder, and lie was still riding in that fashion when witness saw a car from the opposite direction turning to the right into the Domain at a slow speed. Oar Driver's Evidence "When he was about 12ft. from the car deceased apparently saw it, and swerved to the left," witness continued. "He did not slacken his speed, and there was a severe impact, the force of which seemed to push the ear sideways, The car driver seemed to be taken by surprise by the cyclist, and turned sharply to the right to try to avoid hirn, if deceased had seen the car he would have had plenty of room <to go behind it. Deceased wore neither helmet nor goggles." A service station attendant, Arthur Jiarstou lien ton, the driver of the car, gaid he was in third gear, taking an easy sweep into the Domain, when he saw deceased about 90ft away. He said he had no doubt he could keep on his course and be well into- the Domain entrance before the cyclist came near him, but he then realised the rider was travelling at a high speed. The car was going so slowly that witness was considering changing down into second gear. Crash into Gar

"The cyclist appeared to come itraight at me, and crashed into the centre of the car," witness added. "Ho was looking to his right and not where he was going. 1 swerved to the right and tried to accelerate away from lnm, and this accounts for the fact that, the car stopped" nearer the right-hand side of tire road than should hare been the case.'* •

The coroner, said the 'car door gave some idea of the speed the cyclist was travelling and the force of the collision. It was possible that if deceased had been wearing a crash helmet h«* might have saved his life. The ear was doser to the right-hand kerb than 'it Bhould have been, but he was not prepared to say that that was the actual causo of the collision. Deceased was accidentally killed.